Silk Trivia from Schmeg.com

   

Silk, one of China's most prized possessions was a highly guarded secret for centuries. A lifetime could be spent studying silk history, manufacturing techniques, and variations throughout the millennia. Below are recommended books and links to silk museums around the world. We hope you discover the treasures of the silk road!

Silk Trivia
China is the largest producer of silk, as the U.S. is the largest consumer of silk textiles.
Highly absorbent, garments made from silk are suitable for hot and cold climates.
The longest natural fiber, silk is composed of varied thickness fibers providing strength and softness.
Silk is gentle to the touch, composed of 18 different amino acids, much like human skin.
Exhibiting both + and - charged ions, silk does not produce static electricity like other textiles on dry winter days.
Cross sections of silk fiber have the same triangular shape as prisms, light is then refracted in a complex manner, which gives silk its illustrious characteristic.
Silk contains protein layers also found in pearls called fibrions. These overlapping structures create the same beautiful luster as exhibited in pearls.
The silk worm is not only used for making textiles, but is also used in medical bandages, foodstuffs, and cosmetics.